Chadron State College Assistant Professor Dr. Khadimul Islam presented two papers at the National Communication Association (NCA) Annual Convention 2024, Nov. 21–24 in New Orleans.
The first paper, “Communicating Social Determinants of Health in Type 2 Diabetes Messages: Causal Attribution and Sourcing Dynamics in Health News and Its Effect” explores the effects of media framing on chronic diseases, with a particular focus on Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM). According to the abstract, the study examines whether news reports that attribute chronic diseases to Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) are more persuasive than those attributing chronic disease to genetic and lifestyle factors. It also investigates the effects of news frames and sources on reader responses and their influence on support for policies addressing SDOH.
Khadimul’s second presentation was “Framing the Triple Threat: A Study of U.S. Media Coverage During the Tripledemic.” According to the abstract, the proposed study will investigate U.S. media coverage of the tripledemic— the simultaneous outbreak of COVID-19, RSV, and influenza from fall 2022 to winter 2023, which strained hospitals and affected nearly 40 percent of U.S. households.
The study will be a critical examination of the narrative structures and themes media employed to report on a unique health crisis, revealing insights into media framing’s role in shaping public response to health crises.
“As media significantly influence public perception and action regarding health issues, understanding the framing used in tripledemic coverage can offer valuable lessons for future health communication strategies, especially in managing simultaneous health emergencies,” Islam said.